The 272 is a high-performance Naim preamplifier with extensive music streaming facilities. It combines the two worlds of digital and analogue audio engineering to create a versatile product with exceptional sound performance.
The NAC-N 272 is a simple step into high performance music streaming. It offers an unparalleled
balance of integration, versatility and performance.
Combined with a Naim power amplifier such as the NAP 250 or NAP 300, the 272 leads a modern two box system capable of unleashing music from a wide range of digital and analogue sources. It can also be upgraded with the introduction of an XP5 XS, XPS or 555 PS power supply.
Digital Technology
The 272’s digital pedigree is formidable. It shares the incredibly powerful DSP (Digital Signal Processor) used by the reference NDS network player and features Naim’s proprietary digital audio buffering and filtering techniques. This helps to eliminate jitter and optimise the audio stream for the best musical
performance from any digital source.
Analogue Preamplifier
The 272 features a traditional Naim preamplifier section with high-quality hand-matched components. All of the components in the signal path are discrete analogue parts specified after listening tests. Great care has been taken to protect the signal path from sources of interference such as the power supply and streaming circuitry; the digital and analogue sections of the product communicate using optical isolation chips.
Hybrid Volume Control & Class-A Headphone Amp
The 272 volume control is derived from the design of the flagship Statement. It offers smooth operation and perfect level matching while a Class-A single-ended headphone amplifier allows the 272 to make the most of high-performance headphones. As soon as headphones are plugged in, the output current drive is automatically turned up five times to give dynamic drive for all headphone impedances.
Hand-matched & Hand-wired
All analogue input sockets on the 272 are individually hand wired to the main board to enhance mechanical decoupling of the
sensitive circuits. The board itself is mounted on shoulder bolts to help decouple it further. The sound critical resistors used in the 272 arrive at Naim matched to within 5%. This already high tolerance is improved even further before assembly by hand-matching to within 1%.
DSD64 Compatibility
The NAC-N 272 is the first Naim product able to play
DSD64 files. This adds to ts already rich list of features
and means customers can explore even more music from
different sources and in different formats.
DSD files can be played back on the 272 via the UPnPTM, electrical S/PDIF or USB inputs.
To keep the DSD audio routing as pure as possible the digital header information is stripped out by the DSP leaving only the audio. This is then optimised for the DAC by down sampling the stream to 40bit/768kHz, using Naim software to maintain the high sample rate and accuracy. This adapted DSD stream then enters the DAC, bypassing the DACs internal digital filter.
The NAC-N 272 offers a comprehensive range of connectivity and music streaming features. It is controllable using the Naim app for iOS and Android devices as welll as the supplied remote control.
Inputs include: UPnP streaming, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth (aptX), iRadio, a DAB/FM tuner, six digital and three analogue inputs and a USB input for iOS devices, MP3 players or USB sticks. It’s also the first Naim product to include DSD 64 compatibility (more on this on following page). Like all Naim streaming products, the 272 is updatable via a USB mini-B port on its rear panel to take advantage of future performance and feature updates.